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Book Review: Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

Summary:

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

I enjoyed Unearthly and jumped at the chance to read Hallowed on NetGalley. Unearthly was the first angel book I've ever read that I truly liked. For some reason, and maybe it was because I started with Hush, Hush (read my original review/read my second opinion), I have never really gotten in to the angel genre. But this series is making me rethink my stance on angel books.

I liked Unearthly for the writing style, tender love story, and well-developed relationships. I also really enjoyed the loving, positive relationship between Clara and her mom. It is so nice to read about a YA character who actually likes and respects her parent(s)! Happily, my favorite things about Unearthly were in abundance in Hallowed. In fact, Hallowed had more emotional drama over action, which I enjoyed. I really felt for Clara in this book. She goes through so much, more than someone her age should have to handle. But, she handles it all with grace and steadiness of character, along with some character growth.

There were a couple of things that bothered me about this book: the pacing was slow at times, and there was just SO MUCH emphasis on Clara's Purpose. I got tired of reading about that forest fire. Save Tucker, don't save Tucker, by the end I was losing interest in Clara's Purpose just because reading about it so much felt like beating a dead horse.

With that aside, though, Hallowed is a great read, and a great installment in what I feel is a shaping up to be a solid series. I am hoping for more action in book three.